After weeks of rumors, the Green Bay Packers finally traded defensive end Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers on the NFL trade deadline day. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Smith was exchanged for a seventh-round pick. The Packers don’t have their original seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft, as they traded it to the Tennessee Titans in August for quarterback Malik Willis.
Originally a second-round pick for Washington, Smith joined the Packers as a free agent in 2019. In his 5.5 seasons with Green Bay, he started in 88 of the 91 games he played. However, his playing time has decreased over recent seasons, going from 80 percent of defensive snaps in 2022 to 66 percent in 2023, and down to 54 percent in 2024. In last week’s game against the Detroit Lions, he was on the field for just 37 percent of defensive snaps, his lowest rate this season.
At 31, Smith was also one of the oldest players on the Packers’ roster. With his departure, only kicker Brandon McManus (33) and linebacker Eric Wilson (30) are 30 or older on the 53-man roster.
In Pittsburgh, Smith will share the 3-4 outside linebacker role with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. His strengths—setting the edge and dropping into coverage—make him a good fit for the Steelers’ scheme, which contrasts with the Packers’ penetration-focused 4-3 defense, where these traits weren’t as emphasized.
Who will replace Preston Smith?
With the recent trade of Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Green Bay Packers need to redistribute his defensive snaps. Smith’s playing time had been decreasing, culminating in just 37% of defensive snaps in his final game with the Packers.
Rashan Gary, a key figure in the Packers’ defense, has been playing 64% of snaps this season. His role could expand to fill the void left by Smith’s departure. Additionally, Lukas Van Ness, the Packers’ first-round pick in 2023, has been on the field for 41% of defensive snaps. Van Ness is expected to see increased playing time following Smith’s trade.
The Packers’ coaching staff will likely adjust the rotation among defensive ends to maintain effectiveness. This situation presents an opportunity for both Gary and Van Ness to take on more significant roles in the defense.
How much cap space did the Packers save?
The Green Bay Packers’ decision to trade defensive end Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers has notable financial implications:
– **Immediate Savings (2024):** The trade frees up approximately $2.02 million in salary cap space for the current year.
– **Future Savings:** The move results in substantial cap relief in the coming years, with savings of $9.88 million in 2025 and $18.21 million in 2026.
These savings provide the Packers with increased financial flexibility for future roster decisions and potential acquisitions.
